OXFORD University put in a battling display but fell to a 36-17 defeat to Aviva Premiership newcomers Worcester Warriors at Iffley Road tonight.

They were outplayed in the opening 21 minutes, conceding four tries, but more than matched their visitors for the rest of the match.

Max Stelling's try, converted by Jamie Shillcock, gave Worcester a 7-0 lead on two minutes, before George Cullen replied with a penalty for the Dark Blues.

The visitors added a second try on ten minutes when Josh Adams crossed and Shillcock added the extras.

And Worcester raced into a 26-3 lead after 21 minutes.

Stelling went over for his second and Shillcock converted, before Alex Nesbitt crossed.

The students improved and went close to breaking the try line on 31 minutes, but Basil Strang knocked on after Henry de Berker exploited a gap in the Warriors defence.

Almost immediately after the break, the visitors extended their lead when Ben Howard breezed through for an unconverted try.

But the students began to push their opponents back and when Zac Xiourouppa was sin-binned they made the extra man count.

A catch and drive led to prop Ian Williams forcing his way over on 55 minutes and Cullen slotted the extras for 31-10.

Just when Warriors were restored to 15 men, replacement Ben Fowles was yellow-carded and once again the students took advantage.

This time replacement hooker Richie Halpin forced his way over.

Cullen converted for 31-17.

However, the students were unable to find another score that their play deserved and when Warriors were back to 15, they ended the match with a try.

Xiourouppa ran onto his own grubber kick to cross the whitewash for an unconverted score to make it 36-17.

Full report and reaction in Thursday's Oxford Mail.